Supreme Court relaxes bail condition of Ashoka University professor, says ‘can write articles, opinions except on sub judice matter’

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) relaxed the bail condition of Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, saying he can write articles, opinions except on sub judice matter.

Editorial | Thought police: on a professor’s arrest

On May 18, 2025, Mr. Mahmudabad was arrested by Haryana Police after two separate First Information Reports were registered against him at Sonipat’s Rai Police Station over his social media posts in connection with Operation Sindoor.

The Supreme Court directed that there is no need for Mr. Mahmudabad to appear before the SIT any further.

The Supreme Court clarified that he had been summoned four times already and had handed over his personal electronic gadgets to the SIT.

The Supreme Court, in its May 21 order, said that Mr. Mahmudabad was free to write and express his opinions so long as they do not comment on the current sub judice proceedings.

The court further gave the SIT a deadline to complete its investigation into his three social media posts and their phraseology. When the State of Haryana insisted that it would need to summon Mr. Mahmudabad in the future, Justice Surya Kant, heading the Bench, said “you do not need him. You just need a dictionary, if at all”.